Bangalore: A resilient Somdev Devvarman won the battle of nerves and wits as he pulled off a stunning five-set victory over world number 61 Dusan Lajovic to lock the Davis Cup World Group play-off tie against Serbia 2-2, here on Sunday.
Somdev overcame a sluggish start to carve out a heroic 1-6 6-4 4-6 6-4 6-3 win after battling hard for three hours and 37 minutes as he dished out a memorable win.
Somdev has played his part and now India's fortunes depend on erratic Yuki Bhambri, who is pitted against Filip Krajinovic in the deciding fifth rubber at KSLTA stadium.
After being drubbed in the first set, Somdev showed amazing strength in his legs and an intelligent brain in his head as he regrouped amazingly to counter a very good opponent, who had reached French Open pre-quarterfinals this season.
Somdev saved eight breakpoints in the second set to revive his and India's chances and switched to serve and volley at crucial junctures, surprising his opponent.
Somdev was rewarded for taking risk as he is not a serve and volley player and has struggled in the past while coming forward to finish points.
Lajovic had dictated terms with his huge service game, at the start but after receiving treatment in his left leg after the second set he lost his rhythm, giving Somdev chance to gather his game.
Initially, Somdev could not play his usual retrieving game but as the match progressed as he could engage Lajovic in long points, giving himself chances to find cracks in the Serbian's game.
He served better and also succeded in finishing points quickly. It was a huge turnaround in his game. Lajovic later said that he had slipped during one of the points and that hurt his ankle, which later affected his game.
Lee-Bopanna doubles match inspired me, says Somdev:
Somdev Devvarman on Sunday said the sterling comeback doubles match of Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna inspired him to go out and win the crucial first reverse singles game for India and keep the nation's hopes alive in the Davis Cup World Group Playoff tie against Serbia here.
"Huge. It (Bopanna-Lee comeback match) was an inspiring stuff. To be 0-2 down and winning it from there is really inspiring. It is a lot of pressure playing at home," he told reporters at the post-match press conference at the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association Stadium.
"I remember speaking to Lee and Bops saying please give me a chance because I did not play that well on Friday, and they did that and gave me a chance," he said.
"They read the game, especially Leander reads the game well, regardless where he is sitting...something which I appreciate...I was really happy that the team was behind me to get me through that," he added. Asked about his game plan against Lajovic, Somdev said he played aggressive tennis after the third set.
"I felt I was aggressive after the third set. I forgot about the ball and being tactical. I tried to hit the ball and play mixed tennis shots and made life hell for the other guy," he said.
Somdev further said he slowed down his game after watching Dusan struggling with pain and decided to force him into long rallies.
"Absolutely I slowed down my game because I felt he (Dusan) was hurting - the long we kept him up, the more tougher it would have been for him," he said.
"I just kept telling myself keep fighting. When you are playing below average but you are still fighting through it is a good sign."
Somdev said he pushed Lajovic hard after he realised he was struggling with a pain in his heels.
"Yeah he was obviously struggling and that was unfortunate. I was telling myself to push myself for every single point. In these kinds of match, one or two points decides the fate of the match, and therefore I pushed myself hard," he said.
Rain-hit decider to resume at 12 p.m. (IST) on Monday:
India's Yuki Bhambhri will resume his rain-hit Davis Cup decider against Serbia's Filip Krajinovic at 12 noon in Bangalore on Monday.
Yuki, who had lost the first set 3-6 against the Serb, was 4-4 into the second when rain played spoilsport in the World Playoff tie.
Yuki, 22, had lost against Dusan Lajovic 3-6 2-6 5-7 in the opening tie, but is fighting hard in the reverse singles match.
